BRADFORD TOWN 4 BRIDPORT 2

BRIDPORT gave Toolstation Western League Premier Division leaders Bradford Town a scare before succumbing 4-2 in Wiltshire.

Rich Robson’s Bees started superbly and forced Leon Greenland into a sharp clearance before Town’s Gary Higdon had a goal ruled out for offside.

Bridport capitalised on their enterprising opening when Ryan Dovell converted a penalty given for a clumsy foul on Callum Thompson.

But the Bobcats soon replied in the 21st minute when Lewis Powell’s cross was nodded home by Higdon.

A moment of controversy saw the Bobcats denied a goal as Higdon’s shot appeared to strike the bar and bounce over the line, although the officials waved play on.

After the break, Town’s Neikell Plummer was sin-binned but the hosts then took the lead on 50 minutes when Matt Morris supplied Powell to score.

Bridport’s riposte was almost instant as Josh Phillips finished off a fine move with a calm finish for his first Bees’ goal.

With Bridport well in the game, the visitors were undone by a cross for the third time as Tyson Pollard fed Morris to slam past Bees’ gloveman Jordon Scadding.

And Pollard completed the scoring on 76 minutes to inflate the scoreline.

Bees’ assistant-manager Dovell, who went off in the first half following a clash of heads, said: “Early in the second half we conceded to go 2-1 down but we didn’t let our heads drop, carried on working and got back to two-all.

“We fancied our chances of getting something but a couple of goals in quick succession killed it.”

Bridport host Brislington on Saturday (3pm).

Dovell said: “Against a side that have won every game we were well in the game. If we perform like that for 90 minutes (against Brislington) we’ll be able to get a decent result.

Dovell expects to be fit, but Will Gape (hip) is doubtful.

Bees: J Scadding, Richardson, Dovell (Beals 35), Wells-Burr, Wall, Warren, Hewitt (Okumu 60), Coombs (Charles 70), Phillips, Thompson, Cornish. Subs not used: Kershaw, White.